Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Leapin' Lizards! It's Another One!

Remember last week when I said that Amanda had come home from New Jersey and that she had brought two lizards with her? Just about everyone seemed to be somewhat creeped out and there were "Ewws" galore left for comments. If I were going to guess I'd have to say that there aren't a lot of lizard fans out there and I'd probably be right, right?

Well, prepare to be creeped out yet again as I'd like to introduce you to Elektra (formerly Sophia but Amanda didn't like the name) ....

Elektra is a leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) which is indigenous to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Western India and parts of Iran. I guess that accounts for the desert camouflage coloring so that she can blend in with the desert if need be. Not that she'll be finding much desert life here in the wilds of Connecticut, though!

So, you may ask, how is that we now have three lizards in the house? Good question for which I do have an answer, of sorts! When Amanda brought home Ezra and Verde last week we went to the local pet shop in search of a better habitat for them as I wasn't exactly prepared for lizards in the house. After going to Petco, I was rather stunned at the cost of lizard supplies so I suggested to Amanda that perhaps she could find something a little less costly on eBay or Craigslist as you never know what you can find until you look.

Amanda looked and, sure enough, there was a lady in East Hampton, a town about 40 miles from here, who had listed a leopard gecko complete with habitat, heat lamp, cricket-keeper, sand, water dish, etc. for only $30 which is normally the cost of just the gecko alone. I asked her if the other lizards, who are anoles, would be able to live in the same habitat as the gecko as that would be a lot less costly than buying all of that for them. Amanda said she thought they could and proceeded to contact the seller to see whether the gecko was even still available as the listing was originally for August 14th.

Much to Amanda's delight no one else had snapped up such a deal (I am apparently the only crazy person around) so we made the drive over to East Hampton today where as soon as she laid eyes on the little lizard, Amanda promptly fell in love ... with a reptile ... who eats crickets ... and mealworms ... and stuff. Sigh ... I told Amanda we could take her home with us as long as Amanda promised me that at no time would this gecko try to sell me car insurance and I have her word that will not happen. The first time it does ... out the door Elektra goes!

Oh well, the good thing is at least I don't have to worry about my allergies acting up with this choice of pet! The bad thing is, I don't think the anoles can live in the same habitat with the gecko after all so that brings me right back to square one with three lizards now residing in the house - one who has a fancy upscale place to live and two that are still in the projects. Anyone got a cheap reptile habitat they want to unloadsell donate?

Amanda, I'm your type of person!Linda, I promise - they'll grow on you...I'm sitting here typing this while my parrot is roosting on my shoulder, which is occasionally being pooped on. Good thing bird poop doesn't smell...Oh, I should add, I do have "bird poop shirts," worn only for the occasion!~~~Blessings~~~

Unfortunately I would probably find myself losing the first two lizards in the Fog somewhere...Gads woman your brave... ecky.. the gecko thingy is better than the others though.. much cuter if you can call a lizard cute... hee hee hee